you and me in the moonlight

[crosslaced]

Who: You!
What: A year end party MINGLELOG to help everyone recover from the Shit we’ve been through.
When: Forwarddated to Nov 24
Where: Enso E4, close to the ST Temple
Warnings: Mark as necessary, but none expected.

As the end of November draws near…… it’s time for that player plot the mods hinted at in their latest announcement.

Laurent’s Witch Labyrinth! -no, actually, it’s just a party.

[preparation]

All day on the 24th people are hard at work setting up on the golden beaches of Enso. The Storyteller’s Temple can be seen from the site and vice versa; it’s just a short walk away. There’s quite a bit to be done, so every extra pair of hands are welcome!

[the party]

As evening falls, a series of torches light up the party site for the lost; most prominent are the three large campfires spaced out across the beach, offering a variety of gathering spots for those who don’t like the loud partying going on at the other one.

There’s more than enough food to go around. An entire Cariborn is being dug up from the sandy soil way up the beach, having been roasted in the ground. There’s a wide variety spread out on tables… of handwaved origin… maybe they’re the ones left around from 4/20?? It’s probably fine. Herb- baked vegetables, fresh fruits, meat of various types, pizza!! and yes, Muffet’s Magic Blackberry Alcohol abound.

We’ve also got party favors. Amongst them, it seems like..... owo are these sparklers?

Come hang out! It’s a well-deserved break.

[activities]

The children (and adults so-inclined) have some cute party games to have fun with. There’s a simple little ringtoss area set up, with rings that aren’t even proper circles (listen, Laurent tried) and wooden stakes in the ground to be ringed.

Across the wide stretch of sand there's a lot that can be done- want to build some sandcastles? Pick some shells? Fight some crabs? The beach is dotted with doodles in the sand, inviting you to join in.

The biggest attraction is perhaps the petting zoo- well, it’s a cluster of animals just hanging out, but you get the idea. Located far up on the beach and away from the danger of the waves, the petting zoo has three whole Chocobos, two whole Tigerlilies (one of which is clearly guarding the Chocobos), and one whole horse. Sometimes two horses, but the grey wandering one is wearing a plaque that says “I BITE. PET ME CAREFULLY.”

[storyteller?]

Yes, ST-chan is invited! I’m leaving it to them to top-level or tag out at their leisure. Keep an eye out for the bunny god, they’re Coming.

Comments

[postictal]

I think so too.

[His breathing is still a little too rapid, his eyes shuttering, flicking nervously, like he's expecting something to materialize at the corners of his vision. He hasn't felt like this in weeks, but the reflex is never far away. He always waits for It to happen. Waits for It to show up.]

[It doesn't.]

[catpiper]

[There's one certainty in all of this-the real Tim's in front of her, holding a pizza cone and trying to enjoy the night. The stars. Maybe the music and the people too. It's hard to tell when he stays on the outskirts of the party like this, but he's here to unwind. Relax. Maybe find a reason to smile.

She can't do much to calm him down and it's unlikely he'll take her hand. He usually doesn't unless it's for her sake.

So she scoots closer and starts piling the items from her pockets by his side. It's just garbage-a mixture of candy, rocks, and seashells. This is her only power. Take It.]

This will make your heart feel better.

[postictal]

[Physical touch. Something stirring his hands, his mind. Breathe. Everything break-splinters into fragments and he can't track what he's supposed to think, what he's supposed to feel, until something lands in the sand beside him and Ren says something. He doesn't parse it. He blinks through the sludge that's been made of his thoughts, stares at her.]

[It takes him a minute to answer.]

Uh. Thanks.

[catpiper]

[His attitude doesn't change, save for his attempt to look at her, which means her pocket gifts have failed. The rocks and shells didn't work, but she has a list of hobbies and she's going down the list. All the methods she's perfected around elfcamp might be useful now. Not that they always work there either-it's usually enough to make them smile for a second though and she's not going to leave until he seems happier.]

I can make your hair pretty. I know how to do that.

[postictal]

My hair, huh?

[It's...a mess, he knows, peripherally, the same way that the rest of him is. Uncombed, unwashed. He takes better care of himself here, ironically, than he did during some of his lowest points back home, but it's a question of necessity. Sometimes days pass before he can get away to really and honestly shower the worst of it away.]

[catpiper]

[That's not a no, so she inches closer, holding her hands above his head in preparation for his okay to do so. Look into her eyes, Tim. Please. She needs this.]

Yes, Uncle Taako said I could have a 'hair franchise' so that means I'm good at it. I'll make it look nice.

[postictal]

[What the fuck is a hair franchise. You know what - he doesn't know. Doesn't matter. It's clear that Ren is raring to do something, and he owes it to her after snapping at her for something she had no control over, so...]

[Fuck it. He shrugs, opening a hand.]

Go for it, I guess.

[His hair is probably long enough to do something with it by now.]

[catpiper]

[This is the best day.

For as long as he'll let her, this poor soul is going to have his hair braided, unbraided, triple braided together with little mini ponytails tied together with whatever threads she can pull out of her shirt because there aren't enough ties in the world for her mission. It's horrible. And terrible. It goes on and on and on and on-

But when all the little ends of his hair have been touched by her grubby hands and there's nothing left for her to pull up and/or braid, she unwraps the last of her ring pops and tries to pluck it on his finger. Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. Now he's a bougie boy ready to hit the town.]

[postictal]

[It's not the most comfortable sensation, if he's honest. He doesn't tend to like it when people lay their hands on him, and even if she'd asked, sitting still while she does...whatever she wants is a bit of a trial. He picks at a spot of mud on his knuckles, scrapes at a scab crusted at the underside of his wrist.]

[He's positive his expression looks more than slightly strained, but he tries to ease the tense lines in his neck, lets her adorn his finger with a...ring pop, of all things.]

Where'd you get this?

[catpiper]

[While the entire process made him tense, she hopes the end result will put smile on his face, as hard as that is to accomplish. He deserves to have fun, same as the rest of them. In her mind, it's just trial and error on how to make that happen for Tim.

If anything, he looks fantastic.]

I got it on my birthday. I saved it.

[postictal]

In that case, you should probably hold onto it. Right?

[He's not holding out hope that she's going to agree to that, given how much he had to fight her over a damn slice of pizza, but he's still one to make the attempt.]

[catpiper]

[He's doing his best. Unfortunately, it's Ren.]

I already had one and I want to share with you.

[postictal]

[Well, he tried. Another thing to give to the kids, then.]

I guess I'll hold onto it.

[catpiper]

You can eat it. It tastes very good.

[This is a double victory and she's feeling that winner's spirit course through her. Maybe she should challenge someone to the ring toss. Or just try her luck back at the candy table.]

I'll go find more things to give you.

[And nyoooom off she goes. Goodbye, Tim. Enjoy your bling and braids.]